Make the spring sitting work

On March 15th, the Yukon legislative assembly started its spring sitting. I’m writing to invite you to make this sitting work for you - and for all Yukoners.

Yukon NDP MLAs have been travelling around the territory this winter, listening to your ideas and concerns. You’ve told us that you want the territory to have a prosperous economy that doesn’t leave anyone behind.

You’ve told us you feel betrayed by the government’s hidden agenda on the Peel watershed. You’ve expressed doubt about the current oil and gas consultation process since the Pasloski government doesn’t seem to care what people have to say. You’ve asked why so many of your friends and neighbours are falling behind while the government says everything is rosy. We’ve heard you, and we couldn’t agree more.

Governments that don’t listen and don’t seem to care leave citizens feeling dispirited, alienated and sometimes even angry. It’s tempting for people to throw their hands up and stay silent. For the good of our territory, I urge you to not give up.

An engaged public that demands answers and action is the best way to keep government accountable and honest. That’s why we’re appealing to Yukoners to spend some time in the legislative assembly during the upcoming sitting.

Your presence as silent witnesses will help ensure Yukon Party MLAs allow a full debate of the 2012/13 budget.

A full budget debate should be routine, but over the past two years the Yukon Party government has spent roughly $750 million with no prior legislative scrutiny.

The legislative assembly sits Mondays to Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Yukon NDP MLAs will be there day in and day out, offering practical solutions and good ideas. And we’d like you to join us.

You are welcome to sit in the gallery to witness your government in action. For the many Yukoners who cannot attend the legislature in person, we encourage you to contact your MLA, contact the premier and government ministers and contact the NDP official Opposition with your ideas, questions and concerns. It’s your government, your legislature and your money.

Together, we can build a better Yukon for everyone. Please join us.

Liz Hanson

NDP leader

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